Are paper products with a plastic lining or coating an SUP or SUNP for the purpose of the proposal for a directive on single-use plastics?

20.9.2018

Question for written answer P-004768-18
to the Commission
Rule 130
Paul Brannen (S&D)

The impact assessment (IA) accompanying the abovementioned proposal identifies that single-use non-plastic (SUNP) alternatives to, for example, plastic cups ‘could be a viable alternative soon’, provided that the issue with plastic lining is solved.

This would indicate that paper cups with plastic lining, which are currently available and widely used, are a single-use plastic (SUP) for the purpose of the proposal. However, the document states on the same page that ‘regarding…SUNP alternatives, most cups would still have a plastic liner’.

This wording suggests that the Commission anticipates that future non-plastic alternatives will still have a plastic liner, while, at the same time, considering currently existing paper cups with plastic lining as a plastic product.

Recital 8 indicates that products of which the only plastic part is the lining or coating do not fall under the scope of the directive. However, this is not supported by any statement in the operative part of the text or by the IA, which is unclear on the issue.

To understand the implications of the proposal on the environment, the economy, food safety and hygiene, it would be very useful to hear whether the Commission deems products with a plastic lining or coating to be SUP or SUNP.